The Red Cross of South Carolina awarded its highest honor in a ceremony Tuesday to Jonathon Upton of Columbia, S.C. The award recognizes him for saving the life of a veteran who was choking at Veterans Day event in 2019.  Mr. Upton, trained through the Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED course, received the Certificate of Merit, the highest award given by the Red Cross to individuals who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services class.

“Jonathon’s remarkable and life-saving actions epitomize the mission of the Red Cross to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. It also highlights the importance of our training programs in South Carolina,” said Nancy Cataldo, the Regional Director of Armed Services. “Jon is always the first to step up to the plate and we are very proud of him. Thanks to his quick thinking and skills, Jon is an inspiring example of just how valuable training can be in an emergency.”

On November 11, 2019, Jonathon Upton, trained in American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid and CPR, helped to save the life of a veteran who began to choke at a restaurant in Columbia, SC. Jonathon was walking through the restaurant when he noticed a gentleman bent over in his wheelchair with a hand cupping his throat. Jonathon went to the gentleman and determined he was choking. Jonathon was given permission to start administering back blows. The food in the gentleman’s airway was released and the gentleman once again was able to breathe. Without a doubt, the skills learned in the American Red Cross Training Services course helped to save the life of this gentleman.

“It means the world to get the award. I have to thank the Red Cross, their instructors and the service they provide as far as giving me educational tools to be able to succeed in a situation like that,” said Jon Upton. “My response was second nature because of the training that I had.”

Red Cross training gives people the knowledge and skills to act in an emergency and save a life. A variety of online, blended (online and in-person skills sessions) and classroom courses are available at redcross.org/takeaclass.

“I have four kids and I hope when they see this award up on the wall it will encourage them to always do their best in situations, especially in life saving ones,” said Upton.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross